June 2013

I don't know why events such as these are called retreats. I prefer they'd be called "spiritual gatherings," because this is really what they are...

As we do each year, on the third Saturday in the month of June, the Christian Fellowship at Sullivan Correctional Facility gathers in the chapel with members from a church in New Jersey for an extended time of fellowship starting at 2:45 and ending at 8 P.M. While the outside church sponsored everything, and this year we had six of their members with us. About fifty inmates were in attendance as well, having signed up for the retreat several weeks earlier.As is our custom, after everyone settled down in their seats after all the greetings were exchanged, the opening prayer was offered by the inmate pastor. This was followed by various readings from the Scriptures done by both the prisoners and our guests.Next came our choir to lead us in a prolonged time of praise and worship, which was followed by our guests each taking a turn to come to the pulpit and give everyone a short message of exhortation and encouragement from the Word of God. Yet we also took rest breaks along with periods for socializing and playing Bible-themed games, and simply enjoying each other's company.This went on until, finally, our main speaker, Pastor Ron of the New Jersey church gave the main sermon. Then it was time for supper. We were all hungry, too!The meal had been prepared by several inmates who work in the kitchen. As I usually do whenever we have gatherings like this, I helped to serve the food. And when eight o'clock arrived and it was time for our guests to leave the facility and for the prisoners to return to their respective cells, me and six other men volunteered to remain in the chapel for an additional hour to clean up everything and put the sound equipment away.It was a long day. So it felt good to get back to my own housing area where I was able to get a hot shower, and then return to my cell. This is where I am now, tired, but making the effort to write this entry.D. B.